Dunans Castle

Dunans Castle viewed from the road

Dunans Castle is a historic structure located in Glendaruel, in the Argyll and Bute region of Scotland. Shown on maps in 1590, the building was elaborated into a castle in 1860, the castle sits on 16 acres (65,000 m²) of ground and in 2001, was ruined by fire.^[1][2][3]

History

For over two centuries Dunans was home to the Fletcher Clan who moved to the site c.1745 carrying with them the door of their previous home at Achallader Castle. The original mansion-style house (to the left in the picture) was converted into its present dramatic Franco-baronial form by the architect Andrew Kerr and consisted of four main apartments and 6 bedrooms. The building passed out of Fletcher hands in 1997.^[4] The B-listed castle was gutted by fire on 14 January 2001 while being run as a hotel and the building was left as a ruin.^[5] The fire began in the attic space and destroyed three floors only the west wing remained undamaged.^[2]Now under new ownership,^[6] the site, including a Victorian path network, has undergone some restoration.

Bridge & Mausoleum

Leading to the castle is Dunans Bridge, an A-listed structure, designed by Thomas Telford in 1815 and constructed to commemorate the battle of Waterloo.

Associated with the site, but still in the ownership of the Fletchers is the Fletcher Mausoleum, a grade C listed structure.

References

1. ^ BBC News | SCOTLAND | Police probe castle fire
2. ^ ^{a b} Highland hideaway destroyed by fire Forensic teams and firefighters search ruins for cause - Herald Scotland | Sport | SPL | Aberdeen
3. ^ Lord and lady of manor hailed from Hull - Herald Scotland | Sport | SPL | Aberdeen
4. ^ Slice of family history changes hands - Herald Scotland | Sport | SPL | Aberdeen
5. ^ BBC NEWS | In Depth | Photo Gallery | Your Pictures: 25 Oct-31 Oct
6. ^ In a class of their own Home front Designs on a dream retreat? Here are four that were built as one-offs and guarantee exclusivity, says Sue Tranter - Herald Scotland | Sport ...

Coordinates: 56°4′21″N 5°8′58″W / 56.0725°N 5.14944°W / 56.0725; -5.14944